Driver information system

ABSTRACT

A driver information system comprises an operating device  10  having at least two operational control units  20  and a holding unit  12  for the operational control units  20 . A control device  62  for validating control signals delivered by the operational control units  20  is also provided. The operational control units  20  are freely arrangeable within the holding device  12 .

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of German Patent Application DE 102 52689.3, filed on Nov. 13, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a driver information systemcomprising an operating device having at least two operational controlunits and a holding unit for the operational control units, and acontrol device for validating control signals delivered by theoperational control units.

Driver information systems of the afore-mentioned kind are well knownand are now employed in a plurality of different vehicles. They do notonly serve to display navigation information but have developed towardsa central operational and control device by which a plurality ofcomponents in the vehicle may be controlled. The driver informationsystem comprises a monitor on which relevant information as well as theoption menus necessary for operation are displayed. The operation itselfis carried out in many cases by means of a central operational controlunit which have many degrees of freedom. In one exemplary case theoperational control unit is provided as a rotary-push button. Inaddition to this rotary-push button further operational control unitslike switches and the like are provided, particularly for allowing fastnavigation within the selection menus.

The operational control units are generally located in the middle partof a dashboard between the driver and the co-driver so that theoperational control units may be reached easily by the driver.

Although such a driver information system is already a reliable system,there is a demand for offering different design variations with respectto the driver information system, however, without causing higher costsfor custom-made parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention tofulfill this demand.

This object is solved by the driver information system of theaforementioned kind in that the operational control unit is freelyconfigurable with respect to the holding unit.

This means with other words that the operating device is constructed ofsingle independent operational control units, wherein these operationalcontrol units may be inserted within the holding unit at differentlocations. The operational control unit is hence designed as a modularsystem so that the user may determine individually according, to his ownneeds the arrangement of the single operational control units relativeto each other. Moreover, this driver information system offers also thepossibility due to its modular design to replace operational controlunits rapidly, for example because they are defect or because the userwants another type of operational control unit.

Beside the afore-mentioned advantages, the driver information systemalso offers the possibility that the user replaces a rotary push buttone.g. with a cross-rocker-switch.

In a preferred embodiment, each of said operational control unitscomprises a transmitting unit, and said control device is associatedwith a receiving unit which receives the control signals supplied by thetransmitting unit.

Providing each operational control unit with a transmitting unit, whichreceives the signals supplied by the control member, like a switch, arotary push button etc., and processes them, makes it possible to encodethe control signals according to a predefined protocol so that thecontrol device may assign the received signals to one operationalcontrol unit. The best way for transmitting the control signals is touse a bus system which reduces the number of necessary lines to aminimum.

Preferably, the transmission of the control signals from the operationalcontrol unit to the receiving unit of the control device is carried outwirelessly, for example optically or by radio frequency. In case of aradio frequency transmission, the standardized bluetooth-protocol wouldbe an option and would offer the advantage that off the shelfoperational control units may be used for its construction.

In a preferred embodiment the holding unit comprises a predeterminednumber of operational control unit-slots and unit-places, respectively,in which the operational control units may be inserted.

This measure makes the arrangement and mounting of the operationalcontrol units in the holding device much easier since respectivemounting means may be provided at predetermined locations.

In a preferred embodiment each operational control unit comprises atleast one frame connector which may be inserted in a respectiveedge-socket-connector mounted to each operational control unit-slot. Thecontrol signals may be transmitted on-wire via thisconnector-socket-connection.

Although this transmission on-wire of the control signals isdisadvantageous compared with a wireless transmission, the on-wiretransmission has significant advantages with respect to costs. Theon-wire transmission is simpler and generally less susceptible todisturbances or interferences. An additional advantage is that theoperational control unit is fixed in the holding unit by means of theconnector socket connection. Further members for fixing or mounting theoperational control unit are hence not necessary.

In a preferred embodiment each operational control unit comprises amounting member which detachably engages with a mounting member providedat an operational control unit-slot.

This is a very simple possibility for the user to mount the operationalcontrol units. Of course it would also be possible to detachably connectthe single operational control units, which are arranged side by side,with each other, so that only a few operational control units have to bemounted at the holding unit. This approach is particularly used when theoperational units are hold slidably with respect to each other withinthe holding unit.

The operational control units may preferably be operating elements,volume control elements, hard key elements, keypad elements, etc.However it is to be noted that this enumeration is not exhaustive,rather further operational control units may also be used. The operatingdevice of the present invention is flexible such that it also allows theintegration of not yet used types of operating elements.

It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those yetto be explained below can be used not only in the respectivecombinations indicated but also in other combinations or in isolation,without leaving the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages can be taken from the followingdescription and the enclosed drawings. An embodiment of the invention isshown in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in thedescription below with reference to same. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an operating device, whereindifferent possibilities of control signal transmission are shown forexample;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional side view of the operating device ofFIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a driver information systemwith an operating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1 an operating device of a driver information system isschematically shown and indicated with reference numeral 10. Theoperating device 10 comprises a rack 12 being provided on its upper side(which is shown in FIG. 1) with a number of square openings or slots 14.The openings 14 are arranged like a chessboard having in total nineopenings 14 in the present embodiment. This number is, however, chosenjust as an example and may of course be greater or smaller. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the nine openings 14 are evenly arranged inthree columns and three rows, however, other arrangements of theopenings 14 may be contemplated.

The rack 12 comprises as shown in FIG. 2 a main panel 16 which is spacedapart of the top surface 18. The main panel 16 is generally used tomount the rack 12 in the vehicle, normally in a region of the dashboard(center console) between the driver seat and the co-driver seat. Forthis purpose recesses in the dashboard are provided so that the topsurface 18 is flush mounted with respect to the surface of thedashboard.

The operating device 10 further comprises a predetermined number ofoperational control units 20.1 to 20.4 which are arranged in theopenings 14. The openings 14 hence form receiving slots or places 22 forthe operational control units 20. Consequently, the operating device 10shown in FIG. 1 may receive nine operational control units 20 in total.Receiving slots 22 which do not contain operational control units 20 maybe closed by cover plates. In FIG. 1, such a cover plate is exemplarilyshown and indicated with reference numeral 58.

Each operational control unit 20 is self contained in a functional viewand operates independent of the other operational control units.

One operational control unit 20 comprises a cover plate 24, anoperational control 26 being mounted on the top surface of the coverplate 24, for example a rotary push button 28, a simple rotary switch13, a keypad 32 or a switch 34, just as to mention some few operationalcontrols.

On the bottom side of the cover plate 24 a control circuit 41 ismounted, as shown in FIG. 2, comprising different electronic components43. The control circuit 41 is coupled with the operational control 26and receives control signals corresponding to the operation of theoperational control 26.

The cover plate 24 is dimensioned such that the opening 14 is entirelycovered, the control circuit 41 with the electronic components on thebottom side of the cover plate 24 projecting into the opening 14; thismay be clearly seen in FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, the size of the cover plate 24 has beenselected such that cover plates of adjacent operational control units 20are right next to each other so that a gap between the cover plates isas small as possible. Preferably, gaps between the cover plates areavoided.

The operational control units 20 may be mounted on the rack 12 indifferent ways. In FIG. 1, three possibilities of mounting are shownjust by way of example. However, it is appreciated that the way ofmounting is homogenous within an operating device, that is only one typeof mounting the operational control units of an operating device isused.

In the upper row, the cover plates 24 comprise in each corner a bore 46,which serves to receive screws engaging in respective threaded holes 48in the rack.

Of course, the screws may be replaced with pins formed on the bottomside of the cover plate 24. The pins may be inserted into the bores 48in the rack 12 and may be locked therein.

In FIG. 1, the operational control units in the center row are mountedon the rack 12 by using a plug connection, an edge-socket-connector 50being provided on at least two opposing sides of the opening 14. Adaptedto this edge-socket-connector 50, a pin connector is provided on thebottom side of the cover plate 24, the pin connector being referenced inFIG. 2 with reference numeral 52. This pin connector 52 fits into theedge-socket-connector 50 and serves to fix the cover plate on the rack12 by respective sizing the holding force of the edge-socket-connector.

A third possibility of mounting is shown in FIG. 1 in the lower row.Here, snap-in members 54 are provided on opposing sides of the opening14. The snap-in members 54 may be locked in respective snap-incounterparts provided on the bottom side of the cover plate 24.

As already mentioned before the described three possibilities are mereexemplary and may therefore not be considered as exhaustive.

As generally be known, the operating device 10 is used to control adriver information system by selecting functions and by inputting anyvalues. For this purpose the operational controls of the operationalcontrol units 20 are provided.

In order to transmit the control signals generated by the respectiveoperational controls to the central control device, three possibilitiesare shown in FIG. 1 just as an example.

The first possibility is shown in the first row and is to transmit thecontrol signal via radio frequency, preferably according to thebluetooth protocol, to a remote receiver which is coupled with a centralcontrol unit. The transmitter unit for this wireless transmission of thecontrol signals is part of the control circuit 41 of an operationalcontrol unit, the receiving unit preferably being provided within therack 12 of the operating device 10 in order to particularly keep therequested transmission power as low as possible.

The approach shown in the second row in FIG. 1 is based on an on-wiretransmission and is achieved by the plug connection of the operationalcontrol unit 20 and the edge-socket-connector 15. Electrical connectionsare made via this plug connection which allows the transmission ofcontrol signals to the central control unit.

Finally, an example of an optical transmission of control signals isshown in FIG. 1. An optical receiving element 56, for example aphototransistor, is provided below each opening 14. As a counterpart, anoptical transmission element, for example an infrared LED, is providedon the bottom side of each cover plate 24, the infrared LED transmittingdownwardly to the receiving element 56.

In FIG. 3 a simplified block diagram of a driver information system isshown and indicated with reference numeral 16. One part of this driverinformation system is the already described operating device 10.Further, the driver information system comprises a central control unit62 which serves to control different components in a vehicle, forexample audio components, navigation components etc. For displayingselection menus and other information a monitor 66 is provided in thedashboard, the monitor 66 being driven by the control device 62.

As already mentioned, the transmission of control signals from thedifferent operational control units 20 may be achieved in differentways. In the block diagram of FIG. 3, the optical transmission is shownwhich uses IR-LEDs 58 and phototransistors 56.

Since the operational control units 20 may be placed in any receivingslot 22, each control signal is accompanied by specific identificationinformation which allows the identification of the control signal. Thecontrol device 62 may therefore assign the control signals to therespective transmitting operational control unit 20.

The operating device 10 according to the present invention thereforeoffers the possibility to place the different operational control units20 adapted to the individual requirements in any receiving slot 22.

1. Driver information system comprising an operating device having atleast two operational control units and a holding unit with a number ofoperational control slots each adapted to physically receive one of theoperational control units, and a control device for validating controlsignals transmitted by the operational control units, wherein saidoperational control units are interchangeably arranged in theoperational control slots of the holding device, each of saidoperational control units comprises a transmitting unit for transmittinga control signal that contains identification information identifyingthe particular operational control unit, and said control device isassociated with a receiving unit in order to receive the control signalsprovided by the transmitting unit.
 2. The driver information system ofclaim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits said control signalsoptically to the receiving unit.
 3. The driver information system ofclaim 1, wherein the receiving unit transmits said control signals viaradio frequency to the receiving unit.
 4. The driver information, systemof claim 3, wherein said transmitting unit and said receiving unit areadapted for transmitting using the Bluetooth protocol.
 5. The driverinformation system of claim 1, wherein each operational unit comprisesat least one frame connector which is insertable in anedge-socket-connector provided in each said operational control slot,the control signals being transmitted by wire via said connector-socket.6. The driver information system of claim 4, wherein said operationalcontrol units are supported movably relative to each other by theholding unit.
 7. The driver information system of claim 1, wherein eachoperational control unit comprises a mounting member provided at aoperational control unit slot and engaging said mounting memberdetachably.
 8. The driver information system of claim 1, wherein saidoperation control unit is one of an operating element, volume controlelement, and a hard-key element.
 9. The driver information system ofclaim 1, wherein operational control units comprise identical coverplates.
 10. Driver information system comprising an operating devicehaving at least two operational control units and a holding unit with anumber of operational control slots each adapted to physically receiveone of the operational control units, and a control device forvalidating control signals delivered by the operational control units,each of said operational control units being interchangeably arranged inany one of the operational control slots of the holding device, whereineach of said operational control units comprises a transmitting unit fortransmitting said control signals wirelessly, and said control device isassociated with a receiving unit, in order to wirelessly receive thecontrol signals provided by the transmitting unit.
 11. Driverinformation system comprising an operating device baying at least twooperational control units and a holding unit with a number ofoperational control slots each adapted to physically receive one of theoperational control units, and a control device for validating controlsignals delivered by the operational control units, each of saidoperational control units being interchangeably arranged in any one ofthe operational control slots of the holding device, wherein each ofsaid operational control, units comprises a transmitting unit fortransmitting said control, signals optically, and said control device isassociated with an optical receiving unit, in order to receive thecontrol signals provided by the transmitting unit.
 12. Driverinformation system comprising an operating device having at least twooperational control units and a holding unit with a number ofoperational control slots each adapted to physically receive one of theoperational control units, and a control device for validating controlsignals delivered by the operational control units, each of saidoperational control units being interchangeably arranged in any one ofthe operational control slots of the holding device, wherein each ofsaid operational control units comprises a transmitting unit fortransmitting said control signals by radio frequency, and said controldevice is associated with a radio frequency receiving unit, in order toreceive the control signals provided by the transmitting unit.
 13. Thedriver information system of claim 1, wherein said control signalsinclude identification information identifying each of the operationalcontrol units to enable the control device to assign the control signalsto the respective transmitting operational control unit.
 14. The driverinformation system of claim 10, wherein said control signals includeidentification information identifying each of the operational controlunits to enable the control device to assign the control signals to therespective transmitting operational control unit.
 15. The driverinformation system of claim 11, wherein said control signals includeidentification information identifying each of the operational controlunits to enable the control device to assign the control signals to therespective transmitting operational control unit.
 16. The driverinformation system of claim 12, wherein said control signals includeidentification information identifying each of the operational controlunits to enable the control, device to assign the control signals to therespective transmitting operational control unit.
 17. A driverinformation system for enabling the control of various components in avehicle comprising a plurality of operational control units, a holdingunit having a plurality of operational control slots each adapted tophysically receive one of said operational control units, and a controldevice for validating control, signals produced by the operationalcontrol units and selectively controlling said vehicle components inaccordance with said control signals; wherein the operational controlunits are interchangeably arranged in the operational control slots ofthe holding unit and each of said operational control units comprises atransmitting unit for transmitting a control signal containingidentification information that identifies the particular operationalcontrol unit, and the control device includes a receiving unit forreceiving the control signals produced by each of the transmittingunits; and further wherein the data connection by which said controlsignals are transmitted between each operational control unit and saidreceiving unit is configured the same for each operational control unit.18. The driver information system of claim 14, wherein the dataconnection by which said control signals are transmitted between eachoperational control unit and said receiving unit is configured the samefor each operational control unit.
 19. The driver information system ofclaim 15, wherein the data connection by which said control signals aretransmitted between each operational control unit and said receivingunit is configured the same for each operational control unit.
 20. Thedriver information system of claim 16, wherein the data connection bywhich said control signals are transmitted between each operationalcontrol unit and said receiving unit is configured the same for eachoperational control unit.